SEScoops

Category: AEW

  • Hangman Page Vs PAC Full Video Posted

    Hangman Page Vs PAC Full Video Posted

    Hangman Page vs PAC will not take place at Double or Nothing this weekend from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The match was pulled from the card due to creative differences but in storyline, it actually took place in Nottingham over the weekend. AEW posted video of the match to Youtube, which you can watch below:

    PAC vs Hangman Page

    PAC vs Page was scrapped from the PPV due to PAC’s role as Open the Dream Gate Champion. Dragon Gate does not want their champion losing and this is what ultimately led to AEW pulling the match.

    “Essentially the deal is PAC is the Open the Dream Gate champion in Dragongate and he wasn’t going to lose and he wasn’t losing in the UK,” Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio recently. “It wasn’t so much this show and I think that’s where everyone’s all confused.”

    PAC not being able to lose would create a long-term booking problem for AEW.

    “(AEW) have an idea of what they want to do with their storylines and it was a long-term thing and this no longer fit,” he continued. “It wasn’t if he could do the job on this show or not, that wasn’t the issue. He wouldn’t but that wasn’t’ the issue.”

  • Cody Says AEW UK PPVs Are Coming, More BTE Notes

    Cody Says AEW UK PPVs Are Coming, More BTE Notes

    With just 5 days to go until Double or Nothing, the Young Bucks released an episode of Being the Elite today.

    Cody Says AEW UK PPVs Are Coming

    On this week’s BTE mailbag, Cody addressed AEW PPVs possibly coming to the UK.

    “AEW UK PPV, considering the most recent events, I’d say yes and I’d say hell, we were already planning on it,” Cody said. “And of course we’re going to host an actual PPV in the United Kingdom.”

    He also answered a question regarding if the weekly TV show will air on ITV.

    “As far as the weekly shows, you’ll have to ask the kind folks at ITV,” Cody said before winking. “Can you tell I’m winking?”

    Cody Admits BTE Was Behind Anonymous Messages To Hangman Page

    Cody admitted to Hangman Page this week that he’s not too big or too skinny to be in full gear. He also said that it was the producers of BTE who sent him the “juice” and had been surveying his progress.

    Cody finally revealed to Page that he never needed the “secret sauce”, Page has had the ability to beat PAC this whole time. Page then adopted full gear, drove to the airport, boarded a plane, and confronted PAC at a show in Nottingham, England. The full match between the two will be posted tomorrow at 12 PM.

    Brandon Cutler Added To Battle Royal

    Brandon Cutler left pro-wrestling for 7-years between 2011 and 2018. He now has a contract with AEW and will compete in the Casino Battle Royal on May 25th. In addition to being a wrestler, Cutler is the Executive Content Producer for the organization. His contract signing opened up this week’s episode of Being the Elite.

    https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/1130509800083578880

    Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus Confirmed For Casino Battle Royale

    In addition to Cutler, both Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus were confirmed for the Casino Battle Royale as well. Luchasaurus also confirmed he’s able to talk during the episode.

    Christopher Daniels No Habla Espanol

    SCU’s Christopher Daniels was in Santiago, Chile for a bit this week. He noted (in Spanish) that his Spanish is quite poor, however. As a result, he was unable to say that Santiago was the worst town he’s ever been to. He later said he’d stop taking solo bookings.

    MJF Was Going To Attack Dustin Rhodes With A Samurai Sword

    MJF appeared to run after Dustin Rhodes with a samurai sword in this week’s episode. Rhodes turned around and noticed, however, causing MJF to stop. MJF later denied it was him.

    The full episode can be viewed in the player below:

  • More On Hangman vs. PAC Pulled From AEW Double or Nothing

    More On Hangman vs. PAC Pulled From AEW Double or Nothing

    With under a week to go before their first official event, AEW has had to cancel a high-profile match from Double or Nothing. PAC vs Hangman Page was scrapped from the PPV.

    In storyline, the match took place in England recently and will air on AEW’s social media channels. According to a recent report from Wrestling Observer Radio, it wasn’t that PAC was not free to lose to Page which was the sticking point, it was that he wouldn’t be able to lose a follow-up match after.

    “Essentially the deal is PAC is the Open the Dream Gate champion in Dragongate and he wasn’t going to lose and he wasn’t losing in the UK,” Meltzer said. “It wasn’t so much this show and I think that’s where everyone’s all confused.”

    PAC Vs Page Scrapped From AEW Double or Nothing

    “(AEW) have an idea of what they want to do with their storylines and it was a long-term thing and this no longer fit,” Meltzer continued. “It wasn’t if he could do the job on this show or not, that wasn’t the issue. He wouldn’t but that wasn’t’ the issue.”

    https://twitter.com/theAdamPage/status/1129691060479942658

    In terms of why AEW didn’t decide to go with a draw or a DQ finish, the decision was made that either of those finishes might be ill-received from the live audience. The main point was really that PAC’s situation with Dragon Gate prevents him from losing on future shows as well.

    “They could have put PAC over,” Meltzer continued. “The issue is then what do you do? If you put PAC over, who does he face in Chicago?”

    https://twitter.com/theAdamPage/status/1129842463240347649

    Kenny Omega’s name was referenced as a possible future opponent.

    “I don’t know but I do, so to speak,” Dave Meltzer said. “If that was the case that it might be Kenny Omega or an equivalent. Given the way the 6-man tag was going and everything, it was Kenny Omega, almost for sure.”

  • Tony Khan Talks About How AEW Will Differ From WWE

    Tony Khan Talks About How AEW Will Differ From WWE

    All Elite Wrestling/AEW will be presenting their first official PPV event ‘Double or Nothing’ next Sunday May 25th. The President of AEW Tony Khan recently spoke to ITV. The UK version of the PPV will be available on the ITV Box Office platform.

    “We are going to be offering a great sporting centric product,” stated Khan. “We are going to be focused on the athletes. Focused on the work and we have some of the best wrestlers in the world and I really want to showcase them. But they also are some of the most dynamic personalities. I don’t want people to think that this is just going to be great matches. There is going to be a lot of great matches. But it is also going to be some of the most entertaining guys in pro wrestling and these guys are going to be unleashed. You are going to see their personalities and I have spoken with the men and women in this group and there are some great personalities and those personalities are going to shine.”

    Khan elaborated further, saying “The shows are going to be great and not what people expect. We are going to take the matches seriously. I want wins and losses to matter. That is the point of wrestling, everyone is striving to be a champion and your stature in the company is marked by your win-loss record. I think it’s going to be a different wrestling show then people have seen, and the best wrestling show people have seen.”

    It will be interesting to see if the statistics AEW are promising and the ‘win-loss’ count will help them differentiate enough against WWE.

    *Credit to WrestlingINC for the transcription

    You can check out the full interview below:

  • Chris Jericho To Debut Signature Move At AEW Double Or Nothing (Video)

    Chris Jericho To Debut Signature Move At AEW Double Or Nothing (Video)

    Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho in a rematch from their contest at Wrestle Kingdom in 2018 and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. Lucha Bros. (Penta El Zero M and Rey Fénix) are being billed as the top two matches for AEW Double or Nothing.

    In a recent video posted on his official Instagram account, Jericho revealed that he plans to show off a new move in his match against Omega.

    He noted that he came up with the idea when he had been training in MMA at Batista’s gym in Tampa, Florida. The move is The Judas Effect, which is a spinning elbow to the head.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxm_AQTBrsI/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Double or Nothing, which is the inaugural show promoted by AEW, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25, 2019. Here is the updated card for Double Or Nothing:

    Updated AEW Double Or Nothing Card

    Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho – Main Event

    Cody Rhodes vs. Dustin Rhodes

    AAA Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks vs. The Lucha Bros.

    SoCal Uncensored vs. Cima, T-Hawk, and El Lindaman

    Dr. Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Kylie Rae

    Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki and Emi Sakura vs. Hikaru Shida, Riho Abe and Ryo Mizunami

    Best Friends vs. Angelico and Jack Evans

    Kip Sabian vs. Sammy Guevara

    Over Budget Battle Royal

    Sonny Kiss, Brandon Cutler, Ace Romero, Glacier, Brian Pillman Jr, Sunny Daze, MJF, Joey Janela, Chuck Taylor, Trent Baretta, Dustin Thomas

  • Adam Page vs. PAC Nixed From AEW Double Or Nothing

    Adam Page vs. PAC Nixed From AEW Double Or Nothing

    Adam Page vs. PAC is no longer happening at the upcoming AEW Double or Nothing.

    There was an angle done at Saturday’s WrestleGate show in Nottingham, England involving Pac and Hangman Page. Dave Meltzer reports that this angle was to present the match that had been built up because the match won’t be taking place at Double or Nothing. The word from AEW is it’s been nixed due to creative differences. PAC won’t be working Double or Nothing.

    With PAC being a Dragon Gate champion and taking that role seriously, he has not agreed to any losses since winning the Open the Dream Gate Title.

    In order to protect that belief, he has worked draws with Zack Sabre Jr. and Will Ospreay. That is an issue with AEW who wants to present a sports-like atmosphere and had their own direction for what they wanted.

    Now, the Pac vs. Page match will be released this week on the internet. Page agreed to fly to England and do the match to make up for the hyped match. Thus, the reason he appeared at WrestleGate.

    Meltzer wrote, “The DQ finish kept things open-ended enough that Pac may be back with the promotion at some point to face Page, although there is no definitive time frame.”

    AEW will be at least one more announcement made this coming week. Page will be wrestling against a new opponent.

    Double or Nothing, which is the inaugural show promoted by AEW, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25, 2019.

  • Young Bucks Say ROH & NJPW Undervalued Them

    Young Bucks Say ROH & NJPW Undervalued Them

    According to Nick Jackson of the Young Bucks, ROH & NJPW could have teamed up to offer the brothers’ contracts which would have prevented AEW from starting. Nick made his comments recently during an interview with the Bleacher Report.

    “You know what’s sad? New Japan and ROH could have easily come together and offered us the contracts they wanted, but they just didn’t do it,” Nick Jackson said. “New Japan never saw the value in Matt and I. They never paid us good. We would have had to work with New Japan for another two decades to even get close to retiring, and the style they demand is backbreaking.”

    https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/1129152596206211073

    Young Bucks on ROH/NJPW Contract Negotiations

    Nick would continue to talk about how ROH paid them better than NJPW but still not to where they’d be able to retire in less than a decade. He also said that if ROH & NJPW teamed up to offer the Bucks a contract, they likely would have accepted.

    “Ring of Honor paid us a lot better than New Japan. We could have probably retired there, but we would have to work probably another decade with them. We pitched it to both of them: ‘Why don’t you guys get us a dual contract?’ And they just didn’t get it done.”

    “We would have easily stayed, and there would have never been an All Elite Wrestling if they would have met what we wanted, but it didn’t get done,” he continued.

    The full interview can be read here.

    https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/1129613565776654336
  • Chris Jericho On AEW Competing With WWE: This Is A War

    Chris Jericho On AEW Competing With WWE: This Is A War

    Chris Jericho was recently interviewed by TV Insider to talk about several professional wrestling topics including his involvement with AEW.

    Since the launch of the promotion back in January, many fans expect to see AEW bring competition to WWE that hasn’t been seen since WCW closed down in 2001. That belief only increased once it was announced on Wednesday that AEW would air a weekly television show on TNT in prime time starting later this year.

    Jericho, who has worked for WCW, WWE, and now AEW, has been on the battle lines. Thus, when the former WWE Champion says that this will be a war between both companies, fans should consider respecting his mindset.

    “This is a war. Even if you don’t want it to be, it just is. There hasn’t been any competition for WWE on a national basis for 20 years or more. I think this is something they didn’t really want, but it’s great for the fans and great for the guys. I think in the long run it’s going to make a difference because it gives people a choice. And it’s always good to have a choice.”

    The former IWGP Intercontinental Champion is set to take on Kenny Omega in the main event of AEW’s inaugural event, Double or Nothing, later this month at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Update On AEW-Warner Media TV Deal

    Update On AEW-Warner Media TV Deal

    Pro-Wrestling will be returning to TNT this fall when AEW presents a weekly live 2-hour show on the network. New details regarding AEW’s new television deal were revealed in a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    What Day of the Week Will AEW TV Air?

    This is not yet clear, though it will likely be either Tuesday or Wednesday. This is the main sticking point for negotiations for a TV deal in Canada as well. A deal in Canada cannot be completed until the day of the week the show will air has been determined. Warner Media will be the ones making that decision.

    “WarnerMedia is going to make the call based on market research to determine the value of going on Tuesday, with it being a ‘creature of habit’ night for wrestling fans right now, with the idea of going 8-10 p.m,” wrote Dave Meltzer.

    Tuesday Night Dynamite is a registered trademark for AEW, though not necessarily the name for the weekly TV show. TNT airs NBA games during the season on Tuesdays as well.

    No start date for the show has been announced, though it is expected to begin airing this October.

    Details Regarding AEW Deal With Warner Media

    Showtime was also in the running to land the show, though TNT was the favorite to secure the deal.

    “There were also negotiations with Showtime, although TNT was always the favorite to end up as the destination point,” wrote Dave Meltzer.

    The deal involves an advertising-revenue split between Warner and AEW. No rights fees will be paid to AEW but Warner will handle the production costs.

    “The key is that WarnerMedia will be paying for production, the value of which is unknown. But that shocked most in the wrestling industry because in the modern era very few wrestling deals actually paid for production.”

    When Did Negotiations Begin?

     Negotiations between Warner and Tony Khan evidently predate All In, though talks became more serious this November.

    “AEW to TNT had been talked about by AEW President Tony Khan and Kevin Reilly, the President of TNT and TBS, for nearly one year, even predating All In. But the first actual serious negotiations started in mid-November. Khan had promised a strong roster in those negotiations and was able to sign every key person he had promised.”

    PPV Cost 

    As previously reported, B/R Live will be the streaming partner for AEW. The streaming service will also present Double or Nothing for the price of $49.95. Additional content is expected for B/R Live from AEW as well.

  • DDP Believes AEW Could End Up Helping WWE’s Ratings

    DDP Believes AEW Could End Up Helping WWE’s Ratings

    WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page recently spoke to Wrestling Inc. about AEW’s arrival and WWE’s current product.

    On Wednesday, it was officially announced that AEW would air a weekly TV show on TNT later this year. With such a move on a big-time TV network, which is the same that WCW aired on, many fans are excited about the possibility of such a move will bring to the pro wrestling business.

    DDP brought up how when WCW went against WWE they didn’t split the rating WWE was getting. Instead of dividing the wrestling community, they increased viewership and both companies benefited.

    “The WCW fans came over too and they just kept increasing the ratings. I think what’s happening all around with wrestling is gonna help the business.”

    DDP was also asked if WWE will get a rub from AEW arriving on the scene with their ratings, which have been declining for several months now.

    “I don’t know because WWE is the juggernaut. But AEW is doing something completely different,” said Page. “WWE is rated G and is for families. [AEW] is not aiming for that, they are aiming for an older market, really…

    “Cody’s like my nephew, but I think it’s great for wrestling in general and it’s definitely great for wrestlers. In sports entertainment, when there is one dominant force and nothing else, you don’t have to work as hard. Coke and Pepsi exploded because they were going against each other. Competition makes things better and I’m excited for the boys.”

  • More Details Regarding AEW & Warner Media TV Deal

    More Details Regarding AEW & Warner Media TV Deal

    AEW and Warner Media announced a partnership today which will see pro-wrestling returning to TNT this fall. Journalist John McMullen recently provided new details regarding AEW’s deal with TNT including that the deal does not require Warner Media to pay AEW rights fees to air their show.

    AEW TV Details

    He did note, however, that TNT and AEW will split advertising revenue.

    He continued to talk about how difficult it is to get a significant TV rights deal as Vince McMahon has been able to get for WWE.

    “From Viacom at the turn of the century. The monster deal took over 35 years. TNA/Impact once had Hulk Hogan, Sting, and Randy Savage and couldn’t get this kind of platform. It’s an amazing deal that those in AEW are ecstatic about,” McMullen continued on Twitter.

    He said AEW not being paid rights fees is what should have been expected all along.

    “If it comes across as flat to some that’s because they were expecting rights fees due to some shoddy reporting,” he continued on Twitter. “Right now AEW is set up like old WWE where PPV numbers and advertising will be significant to growth. WWE remains idiot-proof because of TV deal.”

  • Cody & Jim Ross Comment On AEW TV Deal

    Cody & Jim Ross Comment On AEW TV Deal

    Earlier today, Warner Media and AEW confirmed the new promotion will debut a weekly primetime 2-hour show on TNT this fall. AEW’s Cody and Jim Ross both spoke with Variety in regards to the recently announced deal with Turner.

    “The term people are using is ‘alternative,’” Rhodes said. “For many years throughout my youth and plenty of other fans’ youths, pro wrestling has been essentially just one company and that’s not really the case. I want to be the sports-centric alternative in the pro wrestling world and I think we’re on a good path to get there.”

    Jim Ross stated he believes the youthful leadership in the new promotion will help drive its success.

    “AEW has a great opportunity because they’re not underfunded, the leadership has amazing vision, is young and youthful,” Ross said. “It’s probably the youngest group of decision makers ever in the business and I think that’s a pretty good statement because they’re going to be able to relate to that 18-34 demographic and 18-49 demographic very favorably.”

    AEW TV To Air On TNT

    Ross said during the interview that AEW does not plan to compete with WWE. He noted that competition in the wrestling business is a good thing, however.

    “Competition raises everybody’s game,” Ross continued. “It will raise the wrestlers’ game, the creative people’s game, everybody. Everybody feels a sense of urgency when someone is competing with them.”

    Cody On AEW’s Sports-Centric Product

    AEW has been quick to say they will be a sport-centric product. Cody clarified what this means when speaking with Variety.

    “One thing we really strongly want to present is wins and losses mattering again in pro wrestling. That takes more than the W and the L column,” he said.

    “We’re talking about percentage of times someone loses to this particular maneuver, percentages against somebody of this height, a whole by-the-numbers approach that really intrigues me. It’s not a cornerstone of AEW necessarily but it’s a great peripheral element we’re working on and that’s going to be exclusive to us.”

    The full interview with Cody and JR can be read here.

  • AEW & Warner Media Announce Partnership, Weekly TV On TNT

    AEW & Warner Media Announce Partnership, Weekly TV On TNT

    After months of waiting and speculation, the news is official. Weekly AEW television is scheduled begin airing on TNT this fall. Warner Media made the news official this morning.

    “All Elite Wrestling is a talent-forward, fan-first league whose inclusive approach to creating high-quality athletic wrestling competitions is already making waves with fans and attracting top-tier wrestlers,” said Michael Quigley, executive vice president, commercial operations, content strategy and monetization, TBS and TNT. 

    “It is high-adrenaline, gripping entertainment and we can’t wait to bring it to fans everywhere with this game-changing new business.”

    AEW TV To TNT

    Warner Media’s B/R Live will be the official streaming partner for AEW events.

    The 1-hour pre-show before Double or Nothing (The Buy-In) will air on Warner Media and AEW’s social media channels.

    “Wrestling fans have wanted – and needed – something different, authentic and better for far too long,” said Tony Khan, President and CEO of AEW. “AEW is answering the call. AEW is about more than wrestling. It’s about a movement fueled by wrestling fans who have been underserved and perhaps even disappointed by what the industry has produced in recent years. AEW is rising to the occasion with DOUBLE OR NOTHING and today taking it a step further by partnering with WarnerMedia, which is as committed as we are to making wrestling fans the one and only priority.”

  • New Matches Announced For Double Or Nothing

    New Matches Announced For Double Or Nothing

    The AEW Double Or Nothing event is less than two weeks away but the newly formed promotion is still filling the card for the event with new announcements every week.

    This week is nothing different and the company announced a couple of new matches for their first official wrestling event during the latest episode of Being The Elite.

    The first match was announced at the new mailbag segment of the YouTube series during which, Kenny Omega confirmed a 6 Women Tag Match for the show between Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki, Emi Sakura and Hikaru Shida, Riho Abe, and Ryo Mizunami.

    The closing segment of the show saw Matt and Nick talking to Trent Beretta and after denying it for a while, he later admitted that The Best Friends don’t want to be a part of the Casino Battle Royale.

    The Young Bucks then agreed to give them a match against AEW’s latest signings Angelico and Jack Evans at Double Or Nothing, making this match official.

    Apart from this, the latest BTE episode also features a mockery of recent reports about several WWE stars asking for their release and more. You can check out the full episode below:

    Updated Double Or Nothing Match Card:

    After the latest announcements, here is the updated match card for the Double Or Nothing PPV:

    Pre Show:

    • Casino Battle Royale: Winner receives a shot at the AEW World Championship: Sonny Kiss, Brandon Cutler, Ace Romero, Brian Pillman Jr., Glacier, Sunny Daze, MJF, Joey Janela, Dustin Thomas, TBA
    • Sammy Guevara vs. Kip Sabian

    Main Show

    • Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho
    • AAA World Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Pentagon Jr. and Fenix
    • “Hangman” Adam Page vs. PAC
    • Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes
    • SCU (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky) vs. CIMA, T-Hawk, and Lindaman
    • Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Kylie Rae
    • Angelico and Jack Evans vs. The Best Friends
    • Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki, Emi Sakura vs. Hikaru Shida, Riho Abe, and Ryo Mizunami
  • AEW Sign Riho To Multi-Show Deal

    AEW Sign Riho To Multi-Show Deal

    All Elite Wrestling has signed Joshi star Riho to a multi-show commitment. Riho was shown briefly on a recent episode of Being the Elite. Omega, who has teamed with Riho in the past, showed Cody a video of her during the episode.

    According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, AEW has signed Riho to a 5-show deal.

    “(Riho) wants to see how she likes working in the U.S. before she commits to a longer deal as she’s currently a free agent,” wrote Dave Meltzer.

    Riho and Kenny Omega

    Omega and Riho have teamed together 5x and are undefeated together. The last time they teamed together they defeated Kaori Yoneyama & Masa Takanashi on the Gatoh Move Japan tour in 2013.

    Omega and Riho teamed together twice in 2009/10 for the Ice Ribbon promotion and twice for DDT in 2010.

    Riho To AEW

    Despite only being 21-years-old, Riho is a 12-year pro. She debuted for the Ice Ribbon promotion at the age of 9. Riho is not the former 9-year old Omega famously once wrestled on a DDT show, however.

    Riho wrestled with Ice Ribbon for 6 years before moving to the Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling promotion. She is a 2x IWA Triple Crown Champion.

  • Jim Ross: Vince McMahon Not Concerned About AEW, “He Is Bulletproof”

    Jim Ross: Vince McMahon Not Concerned About AEW, “He Is Bulletproof”

    Jim Ross is officially a member of the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) promotion. He joins the company as an advisor and commentator, bringing his undeniable wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

    Speaking with Busted Open Radio, Ross discussed his new role within AEW and whether Vince McMahon had issues with him joining a different wrestling company.

    Surprisingly, Ross claims that Vince has been “very pro-me making this move. He has been very positive about this. We have communicated a lot. Probably the most in a month or so than in months, which is my fault. I would like to make him proud. I learned a lot working with the guy. We built a talented roster that I am proud of. I am proud of what we did together. It was a team effort.”

    “He Is Bulletproof”

    He was then asked whether Vince McMahon was concerned at all over the advent of AEW, especially given that they are being backed by a billionaire in the Khans. Vince hasn’t had to take on a billionaire-funded wrestling company since Ted Turner and WCW in the ’90s.

    “You know, I don’t know if he is concerned about going head-to-head with anybody. I doubt it. I think he is bulletproof in that regard,” he said. “I have said this internally with AEW; the worst mistake we can make is trying to chase WWE. We don’t need to chase WWE.

    He continued, divulging that he believes there is “concern financially about rosters. I am not officially in that department, but I asked one guy in WWE who is an under-card guy, a solid hand, who can help the younger guys earn, early 30s, and they said to me that he is not available. He just signed for a half a million dollars. He is not even on television. $500,000 just to keep him off the streets, sort to speak. So yeah, I think there is a reactionary phase that is going around that AEW is willing to pay people.”

    AEW’s next event, Double Or Nothing, takes place later this month on May 25th. It goes down in Paradise, Nevada at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

  • Angelico & Jack Evans Sign With AEW

    Angelico & Jack Evans Sign With AEW

    High-flying tag team Angelico and Jack Evans have signed with All Elite Wrestling.

    Angelo Tweeted a couple cryptic messages on Wednesday, asking, “Is it time for a change?” and stating that he’s facing a decision that will change his life and career.

    On Wednesday, he released a video (seen below) confirming Pro Wrestling Sheet’s report that he’s ‘All Elite.’ And he’s not coming alone. In the video, Angelico says he’s been competing in Europe with the simple goal of proving himself against the best competitors in the best promotions. He’s achieved that objective, but he’s also grown tired of the day-to-day, the travel, airports, injuries and routine of it all.

    Angelico is shown sitting down at a desk getting ready to sign a contract, when he receives a phone call from Jack Evans. Jack asks if he’s ‘ready to do this.’ Angelico replies, “The real question is, are THEY ready for us?” as he signed the contract and the AEW logo flashes across the screen.

    You can watch the announcement video below:

    AEW’s Tag Team Division

    Angelico and Jack Evans are the latest world-class team to round out AEW’s roster. The following is an updated list of tag teams signed to AEW:

    • The Young Bucks
    • Pentagon & Fenix
    • SCU
    • Best Friends
    • Angelico & Jack Evans
    • Private Party
    • Super Smash Bros

    AEW’s tag team scene will also be populated by teams from affiliate promotions Oriental Wrestling Entertainment and Lucha Libre AAA.

  • AEW Expected to Announce TV Deal with Turner Next Wednesday

    AEW Expected to Announce TV Deal with Turner Next Wednesday

    It appears Turner Sports is going all-in on AEW.

    After months of speculation and negotiations, All Elite Wrestling is expected to announce a television deal with Turner as part of the upcoming WarnerMedia upfronts in New York The news was first reported by The Wrap. SEScoops has reached out to AEW and Turner for comment.

    According to the report, AEW will air a weekly show on TNT starting later this year.

    The new professional wrestling promotion being funded by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan with his son Tony Khan acting as AEW president has received a ton of interest since first unveiling the company.

    AEW was founded by former WWE superstar Cody along with the sibling tag-team duo the Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) after they put on a pay-per-view on their own last year titled ‘All In’. The success of that show led them to explore starting their own professional wrestling promotion and eventually AEW was created.

    Since first announcing the formation of the promotion, AEW has inked deals with several high profile professional wrestlers including former New Japan Pro Wrestling champion Kenny Omega as well as former WWE superstar PAC, who was previously known by the moniker ‘Neville’.

    As far as Turner’s involvement, the company is now part of the giant AT&T conglomerate that also includes entities such as DirecTV, HBO, TBS and numerous other outlets.

    Turner — under former owner Ted Turner — was a prominent force in the professional wrestling industry for decades while airing programming for NWA and then eventually WCW. Turner was in the middle of the infamous ‘Monday Night Wars’, which saw their WCW Monday Nitro go head to head with WWE’s Monday Night RAW.

    Eventually, Turner got out of the pro wrestling business when they sold WCW to WWE.

    Now it appears the new leadership at Turner from AT&T is interested in getting back into the deep end of the professional wrestling business with this new deal with AEW. Of course, WWE remains the biggest pro wrestling entity in the world but now it appears they will have a direct competitor after AEW landed a television deal of their own.

    The first major AEW show since announcing the launch will take place on May 25 at the ‘Double or Nothing’ pay-per-view from Las Vegas with the show airing on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

    An official announcement of the television deal will reportedly be made at the WarnerMedia upfronts in New York with Tony Khan and several of the wrestlers from AEW expected to appear.

  • Justin Roberts Talks Signing With AEW, Returning To Wrestling

    Justin Roberts Talks Signing With AEW, Returning To Wrestling

    Former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts is All Elite. Roberts spent 12 years with WWE (2002 to 2014), until WWE opted not to renew his contract. Roberts has since hosted concerts for Tool, announced for the World Armwrestling League, and announced matches for All In last year as well.

    He spoke to entertainment reporter Chris Van Vliet about signing with AEW, his expectations for the new promotion, and the most memorable moments from his career thus far.

    Roberts revealed it was AEW’s Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes who reached out to him about joining AEW.

    “I did ALL IN in September and that was awesome. That was an amazing show, I had a great time and then I got a call and they said ‘Hey are you available to do some other stuff if anything pops up?’ I said ‘Yep’ and then I got a text from Brandi Rhodes and she asked me about doing it and I said absolutely, I would love to,” Roberts said.

    AEW is an ambitious undertaking. Their first live event is less than three weeks away and fans are wondering what AEW will look and feel like once it launches. Roberts shared his own expectations for what AEW will be.

    “I look at the company from a fan’s perspective,” he continued. “I’m looking at this as my own hopes and assumptions because I don’t know. I don’t ask anything, I’m not told anything, I don’t know what the plans are, I would hope that there are characters that I can get behind as a fan and storylines that I just get wrapped up in and I’m following from week to week. That’s what I’m really looking forward to, sitting at ringside watching every event.”

    Visit Chris Van Vliet’s YouTube channel for more of his recent interviews with pro wrestling personalities, including John Cena, AEW President Tony Khan, Dolph Ziggler, Rhyno, Vickie Guerrero and many more.

    Justin Roberts talks to Chris Van Vliet about AEW, Leaving WWE & more:

  • Angelico Joins All Elite Wrestling (Report)

    Angelico Joins All Elite Wrestling (Report)

    High-flying luchador Angelico has joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW), according to an exclusive report by Ryan Satin at Pro Wrestling Sheet.

    The 32-year-old South African grappler is best known for his work in Lucha Underground and Mexico’s AAA promotion.

    Earlier today, Angelo tweeted, “Is it time for a change?” He followed up with another tweet about facing a decision that will change his life and career. Joining AEW would certainly fit the bill.

    The signing of Angelico is the latest encouraging sign affirming AEW’s keen eye for talent. Don’t be surprised if he turns up in the Casino Battle Royale match at AEW: Double or Nothing later this month.

    Angelico Teases His Future

  • AEW Double Or Nothing Airing In The UK On ITV Box Office

    AEW Double Or Nothing Airing In The UK On ITV Box Office

    All Elite Wrestling’s Highly Anticipated PPV Show will Ignite the Screen with Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks, Cody, SCU, and more.

    LONDON, UK, (May 8, 2019) – ITV, the largest commercial television network in the UK, announced a partnership today with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the new wrestling promotion headlined by members of The Elite, to broadcast the highly anticipated DOUBLE OR NOTHING event on its ITV Box Office channel.

    Fans across the UK can look forward to seeing all the drama, action and entertainment live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on the night of Saturday 25 May going into Sunday 26 May. DOUBLE OR NOTHING, which sold out in under 30 minutes, features an electrifying card packed with stars including the headline clash between Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho. The wrestling world will rock as Cody takes on his brother Dustin Rhodes, The Young Bucks battle the Lucha Bros for the AAA World Tag Team Championship, Hangman Adam Page clashes with PAC,
    and Britt Baker, Nyla Rose and Kylie Rae compete in a three-way match.

    Additionally, before the live pay-per-view event begins at 1:00 a.m. GMT, Sunday, May 26, the hourlong live pre-show special BUY-IN will air for free on ITV4 at midnight. BUY-IN includes the first ever “Casino (Battle) Royale,” which will see 21 competitors including Jimmy Havoc, Billy Gunn, MJF, Michael Nakzawa, Jungle Boy, Glacier, Sonny Kiss, and Joey Janela entering the ring in waves of five wrestlers every three minutes followed by one final entrant, lucky number 21, all fighting it out in the ring until there is one winner, whose reward will be a future title shot against the first ever AEW World Champion. BUY-IN will also feature a pair of high-flyers squaring off one-on-one as the UK’s own Kip Sabian will face Sammy Guevara.

    “We’re delighted to announce this partnership with AEW, whose entry into professional wrestling is already making a massive impact on the industry and promises to deliver an electrifying event later this month, and a fantastic experience for our viewers and wrestling fans in the UK,” said Niall Sloane, Director of Sport, ITV. “Joining forces with AEW for this event is faithful to ITV’s More Than TV strategy to develop direct relationships with viewers through big events available on its platforms.”

    “We’ve stated since our launch that we want to make this the greatest time ever to be a professional wrestling fan, and part of this plan is to make our product as accessible as possible to a global audience,” said Tony Khan, President/CEO of AEW. “Since our launch in January, we’ve signed the best talent, sold out our debut show in record time, and we’ve built relationships and formed bonds with the best media partners like ITV. This collaboration with ITV is so important to AEW, ITV is the best in the UK, they were always my first choice to be our international PPV partner for DOUBLE OR NOTHING, and we’re looking forward to a great show.”

    “We’re delighted to announce this partnership with AEW, whose entry into professional wrestling
    is already making a massive impact on the industry and promises to deliver an electrifying event
    later this month, and a fantastic experience for our viewers and wrestling fans in the UK,” said
    Niall Sloane, Director of Sport, ITV. “Joining forces with AEW for this event is faithful to ITV’s
    More Than TV strategy to develop direct relationships with viewers through big events available
    on its platforms.”

    “We’re delighted to announce this partnership with AEW, whose entry into professional wrestling is already making a massive impact on the industry and promises to deliver an electrifying event later this month, and a fantastic experience for our viewers and wrestling fans in the UK,” said Niall Sloane, Director of Sport, ITV. “Joining forces with AEW for this event is faithful to ITV’s
    More Than TV strategy to develop direct relationships with viewers through big events available on its platforms.”

    “We’ve stated since our launch that we want to make this the greatest time ever to be a professional wrestling fan, and part of this plan is to make our product as accessible as possible to a global audience,” said Tony Khan, President/CEO of AEW. “Since our launch in January, we’ve signed the best talent, sold out our debut show in record time, and we’ve built relationships and formed bonds with the best media partners like ITV. This collaboration with ITV is so important to AEW, ITV is the best in the UK, they were always my first choice to be our international PPV partner for DOUBLE OR NOTHING, and we’re looking forward to a great show.”

    In addition, a special pre-event show “Before the Bell” will air for free on ITV4 and ITV Box Office in the build up to the DOUBLE OR NOTHING broadcast. Details about how to access DOUBLE OR NOTHING on ITV Box Office can be found at www.itvboxoffice.com.

  • AEW Crashes Another Indy Show, Jericho & Omega Brawl (Video)

    AEW Crashes Another Indy Show, Jericho & Omega Brawl (Video)

    Kenny Omega, Cody and Chris Jericho all appeared at a Southern Honor Wrestling event last night. The show was being held in Canton, Georgia where the promotion holds events on the 1st Friday of every month.

    Chris Jericho, who also made news in NJPW this morning, was the first to appear at the event. Jericho’s opponent at Double or Nothing, Kenny Omega, was quick to intercept him, however.

    The promotion posted video of Omega and Jericho’s surprise encounter.

    “If it wasn’t for All Elite Wrestling, if it wasn’t for fans like you, and if it wasn’t a promotion like this developing young and upcoming talents that indeed will debut for AEW we would not exist,” Omega said after the melee. “And that is why I will never forget the roots that I come from.”

    “As long as independent wrestling exists, we’ll support you,” Omega continued.

    Cody & Pharaoh Appear

    Cody appeared on the show in a segment separate from Omega and Jericho’s. He brought Pharoah with him as well.

    Cody will face his brother Dustin Rhodes at Double or Nothing on May 25th, 2019 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The two brothers cut promos on each other recently on the Road to Double or Nothing YouTube series.

  • CIMA Reveals His Partners For AEW Double Or Nothing

    CIMA Reveals His Partners For AEW Double Or Nothing

    CIMA will be bringing in 2 partners at AEW’s Double or Nothing event on May 25th, 2019 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. They will take on the SCU team of Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky.

    CIMA revealed today that his partners at the event will be T-Hawk and El Lindaman.

    Here is the video announcement CIMA made earlier today:

    Who Are T-Hawk and El Lindaman?

    T-Hawk is a 29-year-old from Japan who currently competes for Oriental Wrestling Entertainment in China. He also wrestles frequently for the Wrestle-1 and Dragon Gate promotions in Japan. He is the current Wrestle-1 Champion.

    T-Hawk also took part in PWG’s Battle for Los Angeles last year, losing to Bandido in the 1st round.

    El Lindaman is a 24-year-old from Japan. He also wrestles for both the OWE promotion in China and various Japanese promotions as well. He wrestles for Wrestle-1 and Dragon Gate in Japan and also for the comedy promotion DDT.

    AEW Double or Nothing Lineup

    The updated lineup for Double or Nothing now looks like this:

    1. AAA Tag Team Championships:The Young Bucks (c) vs the Lucha Bros
    2. Kenny Omega vs Chris Jericho
    3. Hangman Page vs PAC
    4. Dr. Britt Baker vs Nyla Rose vs Kylie Rae
    5. Cody vs Dustin Rhodes
    6. SCU vs CIMA & El Lindaman & T-Hawk (OWE)
    7. Over The Budget Battle Royal
      1. Ace Romero
      2. MJF
      3. Glacier
      4. Sunny Daze
      5. Sonny Kiss
      6. Brandon Cutler
      7. Kip Sabian
      8. Brian Pillman Jr.
      9. Joey Janela
      10. Chuck Taylor
      11. Trent Barreta
      12. TBD
  • Best Friends Added To AEW Pre-Show Battle Royale, Not Happy About It

    Best Friends Added To AEW Pre-Show Battle Royale, Not Happy About It

    The Best Friends, Trent Baretta & Chuck Taylor, were added to the AEW Over the Budget Battle Royale on the latest edition of Being the Elite. It doesn’t seem either of them is too happy about it, however.

    Trent Barreta called the Young Bucks during the episode to ask what he and his tag partner/best friend were doing at Double or Nothing. The Bucks held a side-conference between the two of them and admitted they had completely forgotten they had signed the team. Upon returning to the phone, however, they told him that they would be in the pre-show Battle Royale. Both competed in the Over the Budget Battle Royale at All In and were eliminated by Punishment Martinez.

    Over the Budget Battle Royale 2

    The first edition of the pre-show battle royale saw Flip Gordon getting the win while dressed as Chico El Luchador.

    Here are the confirmed participants so far for the Over the Budget battle royale at Double or Nothing:

    • Ace Romero
    • MJF
    • Glacier
    • Sunny Daze
    • Sonny Kiss
    • Brandon Cutler
    • Kip Sabian
    • Brian Pillman Jr.
    • Joey Janela
    • Chuck Taylor
    • Trent Barreta

    AEW Double or Nothing Lineup

    • AAA Tag Team Championships:The Young Bucks (c) vs the Lucha Bros
    • Kenny Omega vs Chris Jericho
    • Hangman Page vs PAC
    • Dr. Britt Baker vs Nyla Rose vs Kylie Rae
    • Cody vs Dustin Rhodes
    • SCU vs CIMA & TBD & TBD (OWE)
  • Lucha Bros Will Reportedly Be Exclusive To AEW In United States

    Lucha Bros Will Reportedly Be Exclusive To AEW In United States

    All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has been making some big moves ahead of its first-ever pay-per-view (PPV) event next month, Double Or Nothing. The trend seems to be continuing. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reports that a deal is being worked out to have The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. and Fenix) be exclusive to AEW in the United States.

    The deal is being worked on between AEW and AAA, who want to have Lucha Bros exclusive to AEW in the U.S. while being exclusive to AAA in Mexico. This would mean that Lucha Bros’ time with other promotions such as IMPACT, MLW, CMLL, and others are coming to an end.

    This makes sense given the pair dropped the IMPACT Tag Team Championships to LAX at last night’s (Sun. April 28, 2019) Rebellion PPV event. Now, Fenix and Pentagon prepare to defend their AAA Tag Team Titles against The Young Bucks at Double Or Nothing in Las Vegas on May 24.

    The show will be taking place from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It will feature other big names such as Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes, and many more.

    What do you think about the Lucha Bros being exclusive to AEW and AAA in their respective countries?